Privacy breach allegations against Regina police officer, now on leave

Regina Police chief Troy Hagen speaks to reporters after confirming that one of his senior officers is being investigated in a possible case of "discreditable conduct and neglect of duty". (Neil Cochrane, CBC)

Regina's chief of police has placed one of his officers on leave while the department looks into an allegation concerning a woman's privacy and surveillance tapes from a shopping mall.

Chief Troy Hagen told reporters Tuesday that a senior officer is being looked at for a possible case of "discreditable conduct and neglect of duty".

Hagen would not identify the officer nor did he make any references to what led to the allegation.

However, CBC News has learned the matter stems from an anonymous fax sent by a woman using a facility in a shopping mall.

Regina Optimist Dolphin Swim Club Statement:

"The Regina Optimist Dolphin Swim Club [RODS] is a not-for-profit organization, and as mandated by the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act provides audited financial statements on an annual basis to its members and the public. The RODS Board has consistently welcomed and responded to direct enquiries regarding the club operations from its membership.

We are not, nor have we ever been, under investigation.

Outside of this, the Board is not prepared at this time to publicly discuss what we consider to be a private matter, particularly when the ex-member involved is complaining ab out her privacy interests being intruded upon.

- Board of Directors,

Regina Optimist Dolphin Swim Club

The woman, Andrea MacMurray, explained that her children swam with the Regina Dolphins Swim Club and she was concerned about financial reporting there. She decided to send a fax to the club's auditor.

A few weeks after doing so, she said she found out that — despite her attempt to send the note anonymously — a club official had seen video surveillance of her sending the fax.

According to MacMurray, she learned from the shopping mall and a privacy commissioner that a police officer obtained the video.

The nature of MacMurray's concern with the swim club was not elaborated upon and the club issued a statement Tuesday saying its audited financial statements are available to members and the public. The club also made a point of saying it is not under investigation and never has been.

Hagen said he is reviewing the findings of an outside investigator concerning the alleged actions of his officer.